Chautala blames Hooda govt for farmer`s death

Chandigarh: INLD president Om Prakash Chautala on Saturday blamed Bhupinder Singh Hooda-led Congress government in Haryana for the death of a farmer, who took part in a hunger strike to oppose the construction of a nuclear power plant in Fatehabad district.

"The farmer died because no one in the government cared to reach out to him. The poor farmer like several other peasants of that area had been protesting acquisition of land for the nuclear power plant," Chautala, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, told a reporters here.

70-year-old Bhagu Ram had been taking part in a hunger strike to oppose the construction of the nuclear power plant, and died due to cold on Thursday as his condition deteriorated.
"The farmers of that area have been sitting on dharna for 139 days, opposing the government`s move to acquire their land. Condition of many farmers has worsened while sitting on the protest for so long, but the government is apathetic towards their plight. It (government) is wearing a pro-farmer mask and hiding a strong anti-farmer face behind," he alleged.

The state government is acquiring land for setting up special economic zones but "till date not even a single SEZ has come up," the former Chief Minister said.

Chautala also came down heavily on the Haryana`s new industrial policy which opens the door to the private sector under the PPP model. The new model was implemented today.
"As they have done in the past, this time too, the intentions of the government have become clear, which is to acquire and hand over the precious land of the farmers to realtors and builders," he alleged.

Chautala also lashed out at the state government for alleged increase in crime rate, water and power shortage and for "rising unemployment".